Hinchliff Family Session-Newberg/Portland Oregon Photographer

“Cause baby, now we've got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you've done
Cause baby, now we've got bad blood, hey!” 

-Taylor Swift

 “Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift. The Hinchliff girl’s current favorite song. Cheryl, the girl’s momma, is brilliant. At the beginning of the shoot she turned on the song to help set the mood and to get the girls energized. Music at every shoot would be great.

Sisters at an old farm, Nanci Imagery

The Hinchliff girls are a combination of adorable, sweet and silly. A pretty great combination, in my opinion. They were so easy to shoot, they seemed to have a great time. Miss A. had specific requests about photos she wanted me to take, Bunny ears over her sisters head, of course. But she also had requests for me to take a particular photo of her sisters scrunched up face because, “it’s so adorable”. I love it! I know I have said this before but I will say it again, I love it when kids get involved with the session and communicate their ideas. I helps me to get to know them and hear what makes them tick. 

Adorable scrunched up face, Nanci Imagery

Tom, the girl’s daddy, wanted to do the session at a special location, his late friend’s property. With authorization, we were able to shoot at the old farm house. A really old farm house. And it was superb. Gorgeous family, farm house, wheat, evening sun, trees, old shed = a photographers dream.

Cheryl came prepared with a few ideas of photos that she wanted to do and everyone was game to do them. Well, of course Tom was a willing participant, he got to make-out with his wife. Well, ok, a make-out session is a bit of an exaggeration but I know he enjoyed it.  

Kissing, Nanci Imagery

Thank you Cheryl for choosing me again to document your family this year. I truly enjoy spending time with you and your family! 

Go forth and rock it Hinchliffs!

The Riley Family Session- Newberg/Portland, Oregon Photographer

"Your friends will know you better in the first minute you meet than your acquaintances will know you in a thousand years."

-Richard Bach

I first met the Riley family in October 2013 when Katie hired me to do their family photos. In my mind, we became friends instantly. We clicked. Katie is relatable, smart, gentle-spirited and so easy to talk to.  When we hang out, everything is easy. Conversations flow and I feel relaxed. 

That October day, I did not plan on meeting any new friends but I am glad that God had other plans. As a child, I often felt lonely. So through my life, no matter how full my plate seems, I try to remain open to new friendships. You never know who is needing a friend. And I am so thankful for Katie! 

Riley family- 2013

Riley family- 2013

Fast forward to June, 2015. I love seeing how the kiddos have grown. Not just in size but in personality, maturity and in relationship with each other. The Riley's have two lovely, sweet kiddos. AND even better, the siblings are so loving to each other. On the day of the session they were really into it. I love it when the kiddos have ideas for poses and actions. Big sister is a born leader and little bro finds happiness in whatever is going on. 

Jay and Katie are high school sweethearts. I sometimes get jealous of high school sweethearts. I did not meet my man till I was 26 (at the time I remember thinking I was getting married at an 'old' age!). Jay and Katie make a great team and I can see they have much respect for each other.   

The photos from this session are some of my favorites. I hope that you enjoy them also. 

Riley's, I KNOW you will go forth and rock it! Love you! 


New Life- Newberg/Portland, Oregon Photographer

"I'm falling in love
I'm falling in love
I'm falling in love
'Cause you're my Starbucks girl
I can't get enough
I can't get enough
I can't get enough
'Cause you're my Starbucks girl
Maybe it's time to tell you straight
The coffee in here ain't all that great
I just come to be with you
I'm falling in love
I'm falling in love
I'm falling in love
'Cause you're my Starbucks girl"

-Evan Taubenfeld, "Starbucks Girl"

3 week old, newborn photography

Cody and Kayla met while working at Starbucks. From the story I was told, and I am going with it because it is so darn sweet, is that Starbucks has/had a policy that you could not date a co-worker. After a while of working together, Cody asked Kayla out but Kayla said no because it is against work policy. So Cody got quit Starbucks so that he could be with Kayla. Now, is this the real reason why he quit? I don’t know, but I like this version. ♥ And eight years later, Cody and Kayla’s little family has grown. Don’t ya love it?

Kayla contacted me about a maternity session. I love maternity sessions and I love what comes after, newborn sessions! She wanted to include their American Bulldog, Cash which made me even happier. I love it when people want to include their fur babies. We had the session scheduled for the last Sunday of May during the glorious golden hour. However, Friday of that weekend Kayla’s water broke. Baby girl had other plans for that weekend. If I remember correctly, she was born on the day of that we had the maternity session scheduled.

Sweet baby A was born early but healthy! I am bummed that we were not able to get maternity photos for Kayla but I was thrilled to be doing her newborn photos. I arrived at their home and was greeted by Cash (they also have a gorgeous kitty named Mia). While I was setting up, Cody and Kayla asked me if I wanted anything from Starbucks as Cody was going to get some coffees. I thought that was super fitting being Starbucks is where they met.

Baby A was 3 weeks old at the time of the session. She was a trooper for sure. She slept great! She liked to be sprawled out, she preferred her arms laying out rather than tucked in. This is typical after about 2 weeks of age.  She preferred her arms out so we went with it, and she was happy as can be that way. She smiled SO much throughout our session and thrilled that we are able to catch a few of them on camera.

Thank you so much Cody and Kayla for choosing me to document this special time. Go forth, love fiercely and rock on! 

Englen Maternity Session-Newberg/Portland, Oregon Photographer

         Laughing, floating bubbles bouncing by
Lifting, soaring upwards towards the sky
Each contains a scene from childhood dreams
Keep the bubbles bouncing and be free- Brian Cox 2001
Blowing Bubbles, Maternity session

I could have photographed this sweet young family all.day.long.  Usually toddlers have a 10 minute time frame for photos.....as do dad's. However, Jared and his daughter were really into this session as well as momma-to-be Megan. Photo sessions are extra fun when everyone is relaxed and wants to be there. Jared and Megan brought bubbles for little E to play with; a sure fire way to bring out the fun, even for the adults. What is it about bubbles that just makes one feel carefree? Well, at least that's how I feel about bubbles. I can't help but smile watching a child face light up from blowing bubbles, watching them float and trying to pop them (or if you are my boys, trying to sword them). 

What's so funny to me is that even when it was time to get photos of just Jared and Megan, their sweet daughter wanted to be in them too. That rarely happens! She would come up and squeeze her face in between theirs or come up and hug on mommy or daddy. Such a sweet girl, so loving. When I was getting a photo of Jared and Megan, I asked them to kiss so Lil' E came over and joined them in their kiss. I had a different vision of the photo but that is what I love so much about photo sessions. I give guidance and you bring yourself and be yourself, interact and we will see what unfolds. It's fantastic when these things come together. 

Megan  was so fun to work with. She brought a hat and when she put it on, a different side of her came out. It was fantastic! Megan is expecting her second daughter in July. I believe lil' E is going to be a doting big sister, gentle and affectionate. 

I foresee many days of the Englen sisters blowing bubbles together and giggling as they try to pop them all. 

Thank you Englen family for letting me capture you! For forth and rock the delivery of

baby girl Englen! 



Thrasher Family Session- Newberg/Portland, Oregon Photographer

“You don’t raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they’ll turn out to be heroes, even if it’s just in your own eyes. ”
— ~Walter M. Schirra, Sr.

Do you remember Nichole? I blogged about her here:

http://www.nanci-staley-vf4u.squarespace.com/new-blog/2015/5/5/photographing-another-photographers-headshots-portland-area-photographer

Nichole owns Lavoie Photography in Newberg. She specializes in High School Senior Portraits, she also photographs newborns, children, families and weddings.

I admire Nichole. She is down-to-earth, friendly, business savvy and a fantastic photographer.  Her eldest son recently graduated from High School and will be heading off this summer for his new life adventure. Therefore, Nichole needed some updated family portraits and she choose me as her photographer. Me. She choose ME! Do you know how special that has me feeling? I am so honored to be chosen by this uber talented photographer.

The day of our session the temp was in the mid 90’s which is really warm for the PNW. Being that I am from Sacramento where the temperature in the summer can get into the 100’s, I get a chuckle when it is in the mid 60’s in Oregon and I feel like I am melting from the heat. So yeah, the 90’s is hot for most of Pacific Northwesterners. Although we were hot, Nichole and her men were awesome. There were no complaints and they are a really photogenic family, which made my job pretty smooth sailing.

Because Nichole is a professional photographer herself, we focused on getting shots of her with her four men. We started with her youngest, Nathan, and oh.my.goodness is he a lovebug! I could eat him up! He loves his momma, is affectionate, has a huge adorable smile and specifically asked for photos of him kissing his momma.  It cannot get better than this! Next was their middle son, Drew, who was quiet, respectful and a total natural in front of the camera, just look at that smile! Then was Sean, their eldest. Sean will be starting a new chapter in his life this summer, he has joined the military and I know his dad and mom are so proud of him! All three of these young men were so respectful, easy to talk to, smart and kind. To be frank, I felt a wee bit blue when I came home. I felt sadness because these three young men had me again realizing how little time we parents really have with our kiddos under our care. When I got home I just wanted to pick them up, shrink them and stuff them into my heart and keep them there forever. Yet my three little boys were all tucked in their beds. My eldest was in bed but not asleep, the other 2 were in dreamland.  I asked my eldest to come to me. I held him. I squeezed him tight and I shed some tears while holding him. I told him repeatedly that I love him, that I am proud of him and that he is special. We can never say this enough.

One of my favorite images from the session is of Nichole and her husband Frank. They are a team. And together they are doing a wonderful job raising these boys into men. Both of them are hard workers, striving to do the best they can for their family and each other. Frank works full time AND is in school. I imagine that he is tired but I would not have known. He is easy to talk with, chill, and seemed to me to be a ‘happy-go-lucky’ guy.

Thank you so much Nichole for choosing me to photograph your family! Seriously, Your family rocks and I will continue to look to you for advice on raising my 3 sons.

Go forth, snap and rock on!  

Chase's 9th Birthday Session- Newberg, Oregon Photographer

"Some legends are told
Some turn to dust or to gold
But you will remember me
Remember me for centuries"
-Fall Out Boy- "Centuries"

I have known Chase since he was in utero.  Oh geez, I am at the age now where I say things like, "Sonny boy, I have known you since you were a little squash". Ok, I don't know if anyone really says things like this. I just can't believe how fast time seems to be moving since having kids. 

Chase and my eldest son, Noah, have been playing together since they were old enough to. They have known each other since Chase was born; they are only 3 months apart in age. I used to babysit Chase every week and the boys would sometimes be little mischievous angels together. Climbing fences big at age three (well Chase did while Noah egged him on) and something having to do with primary green paint all over the carpet, sofa, walls, the ceiling and on an approximately $250 large toy bus. Ahhhh, good memories, right Jessica?  So many more memories to be made! 

On this day, my son Noah and my youngest son were with us. My plan was to use my boys as entertainment. You know, have them tell all the fart jokes and pretend to fart on me, etc. I thought this was going to be a piece of cake, 10 minutes of photos and then the boys can run around like wild animals and then we will get some dinner. Right away, before I even had the camera up,  Chase pulled out the fake smile. You know the one, the, 'I despise this, you and your camera but I will humor you with my school photo smile'. To be expected with this age group but I thought for sure he would be hysterically laughing at Noah (as he usually does) but his fake smile was unfailing.  I think he thought he was not allowed to laugh. Finally though, I told him not to smile and just look at me. That's it. Just look at me and be. And there it was. Relaxed, natural smiles. This one is my favorite.

Newberg Oregon Photographer

And then they ran around like animals and it was great. =) Here he is with my youngest. 

Nanci Imagery Nancy Imagery Newberg Photographer

I look forward to seeing what your 9th year brings you Mr. Chase and we are so blessed to be apart of your world. Go forth Mr. Chase and rock on!